Miniature bowling game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A miniature bowling game apparatus of a size adapted for easy use on table tops and the like and consisting of a playing board having adjustable legs for resting the same on the table, the top of the playing board defining a bowling alley having a playing end and a bowling pin end, the bowling alley surrounded by a gutter for receiving and returning spent bowling balls to the playing end of the playing board, walls surrounding the sides and back of the bowling pin end of the playing board and forming a pin stop to retain the pins on the playing board, a pin setter plate hingedly connected to a portion of the back stop and adapted to swing to an operable position overlying the bowling pin end of the playing board for aligning the bowling pins on the playing board, and a pivoted guide arm secured to the playing end and adapted for use with a ball guide and roller device for guiding the ball as to speed and direction along the bowling alley in the direction of the bowling pins.

Filed:

Appl. No.: 430,479

MINIATURE BOWLING GAME APPARATUS Inventors: Edward H. Rardon; E. Jeffrey Rardon, both of 2646 McVey Blvd, W., Worthington, Ohio 43085 Jan. 3, 1974 US. Cl 273/38, 273/46, 273/129 Int. Cl A63d 3/02 Field of Search 273/38, 46, 126 R, 129 B References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Vogelsang 273/129 B.

Kochka 273/38 UX Bauch 273/38 Hayden l 273/46 X Lowry 273/38 X Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle [111 3,857,562 [451 Dec. 31, 1974 [5 7] ABSTRACT A miniature bowling game apparatus of a size adapted for easy use on table tops and the like and consisting of a playing board having adjustable legs for resting the same on the table, the top of the playing board defining a bowling alley having a playing end and a bowling pin end, the bowling alley surrounded by a gutter for receiving and returning spent bowling balls to the playing end of the playing board, walls surrounding the sides and back of the bowling pin end of the playing board and forming a pin stop to retain the pins on the playing board, a pin setter plate hingedly connected to a portion of the back stop and adapted to swing to an operable position overlying the bowling pin end of the playing board for aligning the bowling pins on the playing board, and a pivoted guide arm secured to the playing end and adapted for use with a ball guide and roller device for guiding the'ball as to speed and direction along the bowling alley in the direction of the bowling pins,

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 MINIATURE BOWLING GAME APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 2. Description of the Prior Art The game of bowling has long been popular where a ball is rolled down an alley in the direction of ten pins disposed in a triangular shape at the opposite end of the alley, it being desired to knock down as many pins as possible with each rolling of the ball. However, due to the space requirements of conventional regulation bowling and the cost associated therewith, the same is not practical for use in the home.

In view of the popularity of bowling there have been developed in the art many table games involving the use of bowling type balls and pins in a manner to permit simulation of bowling in the home, but such apparatus has not met with full acceptance of the purchasing populace due to one or more disadvantages, such as initial cost, complexity of operation and use of the apparatus, constant repair and maintenance to the apparatus, requirement of a large area of storage and playing space, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention recognizes the enjoyment of individuals of all ages in the playing of the game of bowling, and after considering the deficiencies and disadvantages of presently available simulated bowling devices, now provides a novel solution in the form of a novel table top portable miniature bowling game apparatus easily played by individuals of all ages so as to provide a popular family type bowling game equally enjoyable by all members of the family regardless of age, physical disabilities, individual skills, and the like.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a miniature bowling game apparatus which is played similar to the manner of conventional bowling with the addition of a guide to be prepositioned in a manner to guide a ball retaining slider in the direction of the pins with stopping of the slider effecting the release of the ball at the desired speed and direction toward the pins.

A further feature of the present invention provides a bowling game apparatus provided with adjustable feet for leveling the bowling alley prior to the play of the game in order to assure a'true roll of the ball from the playing end to the bowling pin end of the bowling alley.

Still a further feature of the present invention provides a miniature bowling game apparatus which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods.

Yet still a further feature of the present invention provides a miniature bowling game apparatus which is possessed of few parts and which therefore is unlikely to get out of order, and which is of a rugged and durable construction such that it may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand many years of intended usage.

Yet still a further feature of the present invention provides a miniature bowling game apparatus which is easy to use and reliable and efficient in operation, and one which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in appearance.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following descriptron.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like'reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the miniature bowling game apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along Line 4-4 of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the bowling pin end of the playing board having the pin setting devicein position for setting the pins on the playing board; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the ball sliding and rolling device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail there is illustrated a preferred form of a miniature bowling game apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally in its entirety by the reference numeral It) and which iscomprised of a playing board 11, a pin setting plate 12, adjustable legs 13, a guide arm M pivotally connected to one end of the playing board, and a ball rolling and guide device 15 intended for use in the rolling of the ball 16 in the desired direction at the desired speed along the playing board to strike the bowling pins 17.

The playing board 11 is of a substantially flat rectangular configuration having a bottom surface 21, opposed longitudinally extending side surfaces 22 and 23, and opposed end surfaces 24 and 25 defining a playing end and a bowling pin end respectively for the playing board, and a top surface 26 defining a bowling alley type playing field for the-playing board. The bowling alley is provided adjacent playing end 245 with a recessed trough 27 defining a ball tray which is interconnected at its opposite ends to trough 28 extending inwardly and parallel to each of the :side surfaces 22 and 23 along the longitudinal length of the alley 26 to terminate adjacent the bowling pin end 25 of the alley by joining with the respective ends of a trough 29 having bottom surfaces tapering upwards and inwards from each of the gutter troughs 23 to terminate at a point centrally of the alley 26. The depth of gutters 28 adjacent the ends of trough 29 are shallower than the depth of such gutters adjacent the ends of tray 27 such that a ball 16 after being spent by rolling down the alley 26 will be received in trough 29 and then be guided along the inclined bottom surfaces thereof to either of gutters 28, from whence the ball will roll by force of gravity along the gutter to be deposited in ball receiving tray 27 for later use.

The alley 26 is provided with a foul line 30 extending transversely thereto and spaced inwardly from playing end 24, the foul line being provided with a plurality of transversely spaced apart indicia 31 representing bowling spots'for use in the positioning of the guide arm 14. The bowling pin end 25 of the alley 26 is provided with a series of imprinted circles 32 disposed in a triangular shape thereover and adapted to indicate the positioning of bowling pins 17 thereon for use in the play of the game.

The playing board bottom surface 21 is provided with a set of four spaced apart legs 13, each leg including a bracket 35 having one end mounted to the bottom surface 21 with the bracket projecting vertically downwardly therefrom and provided with a horizontally extending pin 36 projecting outwardly therefrom and adapted to adjustably receive an inverted triangularly shaped leg member 37 having a vertical series of apertures 38 disposed therealong, the leg member terminating in a rubber foot 39 adapted to rest on a horizontal table surface in a manner to prevent movement of the game apparatus thereon during play of the same. To adjust the level of the playing board 11 relative to the horizontal support surface, leg members 37 are adjusted relative to bracket 35 by selecting a desired aperture 38 and then aligning the same with pin 36 to secure the leg member to the bracket, thus providing the desired elevation for that portion of the playing board.

Disposed about the bowling pin end are a pair of transversely spaced apart vertically extending side wall members 41 disposed in juxtaposition with opposite side edges 23 and 22 and projecting vertically thereabove, and a vertically projecting back-stop member 42 joined at its edges to side walls 41 and connected to the bowling pin end and projecting vertically thereabove, the side walls 41 and back-stop 42 cooperating in a manner to prevent any pins 17 from leaving the playing board 11 after being struck by a bowling ball 16.

The pin resetting plate 12 isof a substantially flat rectangular configuration having a top surface 44, a

bottom surface 45, a front edge 46, a back edge 47, and

a pair of opposed side edges 48 and 49. A triangular pattern of ten separate apertures 50 are provided in the resetting plate in a manner adapted to overlie markings 32 on bowling pin end of the alley 26 when the plate overlies the bowling pin end of the alley, the plate provided with hinges 51 along back edge 47 which are pivotally attached to back-stop member 42 in a manner to permit swinging movement of the plate between a vertical inoperative position and a horizontal position overlying pin spots 32 in a manner to assist in the placing of pins 17 on the pin spots preparatory to the playing of the game. Spacers 52 are provided on plate bottom surface 45 adjacent front edge 46 and project outwardly therefrom in a manner to engage the top surface of the alley to support the plate in a horizontal position when overlyingthe pin spots 32.

The guide arm 14 is in the form of a substantially flat elongated generally rectangular body member 61 having a back end 62 pivotally connected to the playing end of alley 26 by a pivot pin 63 permitting pivotal movement of the guide arm in a horizontal plane relative to the alley 26, the front end 64 of the guide arm tudinally extending side wall surfaces 65 and 66 along which the ball rolling and guide device 15 is guided in the propelling of the ball 16 along the alley 26.

The ball guide and rolling device 15 is in the form of a substantially flat elongated rectangular body member 71 having a longitudinal slot 72 formed in the front end 73 thereof and extending centrally thereinto, the slot being of a width and depth adapted to receive ball 16 freely therein. The device 15 is provided with a bottom surface 74 adapted to slide on alley 26, opposed side edges 75 and 76 adapted to cooperate with either of side edges 65 or 66 on the guide arm 14 for guiding the sliding movement of the device 15 therealong in the direction of the pin spots 32, and a top surface 77 having a handle portion 78 mounted thereon and projecting upwardly therefrom and adapted to be grasped in the hand of an individual in the using of the ball guide device 15.

In operation, the playing board 11 is rested on a suitable horizontal surface, such as a. table top or the like, at which time the legs 13 are adjusted in a manner to level the playing board. The'pin resetting plate 12 is then placed in its horizontal position overlying pinspots 32 after which bowling pins 17 are inserted through openings 50 to rest on the pin spots, the resetting plate then being swung about hinges 51 to its inoperative horizontal position awaiting further usage. The guide arm 14 is then pointed in the desired direction along the alley 26 toward pin spots 32 and the bowling pins 17 resting thereon, such movement of the guide arm being designated generally in phantom configuration by reference numerals 80 and 81 in FIG. 3. For assistance in properly-pointing the guide arm 14 there are provided the bowling spots 31 along foul line 30. The ball guide device 16 is then rested on the alley 26 with edge 7S-or 76 in sliding juxtaposition with the side edge 65 or 66 of guide arm 14, after which the ball 16 is inserted in slot 72. The player then holds the guide arm 14 with one hand to prevent movement thereof and, with the other hand, grasps handle portion 78 of ball guide device 15 and slides the same along the guide arm until the front end 73 stops short of foul line 30, this forward movement of guide device 15 imparting a forward velocity and direction to ball 16 in slot 32 such that the stopping of the device 15 at foul line 30 frees the ball which continues in its path along alley 26 to strike the pins 17. The spent ball 16 then falls into trough 29 from whence it rolls by gravity through one of the gutters 28 to return to the playing end of the alley in the ball tray 27 preparatory for further use thereof.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a prel. A miniature bowling game apparatus comprising:

a playing board having a substantially flat rectangularly shaped bottom surface, a top surface defining a playing field in the form of a bowling alley, opposed longitudinally extending vertically disposed side edges, and opposed end edges defining a playing end and a bowling pin end respectively;

a back-stop associated with said bowling pin end of said alley and comprising a pair of transversely spaced apart side wall surfaces each associated with a respective side edge of said playing board and projecting vertically thereabove, and a vertically extending back wall surface interconnecting the back edges of said side wallsurfaces and extending vertically above the alley;

a pin resetting plate of a substantially flat rectangular configuration having a bottom surface, a top surface, a front edge, a bottom edge, and opposed side edges, said bottom edge hingedly connected to said back wall surface to provide swinging movement of said pin resetting plate between a substantially vertical inoperative position and a substantially horizontal position overlying the bowling pin end of said alley, ten separate spaced apart bowling pin receiving apertures forming a triangular shape on said plate and extending completely therethrough with the apex of said shape disposed centrally of and inwardly of the front edge of said plate, and spacing means affixed to said bottom surface of said plate and projecting outwardly therefrom and adapted to engage said alley when said plate is in said horizontal position;

a guide arm of an elongated configuration having a back end, a front end, and at least one substantially straight side edge, said guide arm pivotally attached by a pivot pin to the top surface of said alley on said playing end thereof in a manner providing swinging movement of said guide arm in a horizontal plane about the surface of said alley in a manner to selectively point the guide arm in the direction of the bowling pins resting on the bowling pin end of said alley;

a ball guide device of an elongated substantially flat configuration having a flat bottom surface, a back end, a front end, and at least one substantially straight side edge, said bottom surface adapted to slide along said alley at the playing end thereof, said front end provided with a longitudinally inwardly projecting slot centrally thereof, said straight edge adapted to be placed in sliding juxtaposition with said straight edge of said guide arm for guiding the movement of said guide device therealong; and

a bowling ball of a size and configuration adapted to be freely received in said guide device slot for guiding movement therein in a manner providing initial direction and velocity to said ball as said guiding device is slid along said guiding arm to propell the ball down the alley into the bowling pins.

2. The bowling game apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said playing board further comprises a ball receiving tray formed intergrally in said top surface of said playing board and extending parallel and adjacent to the edge of said playing end of said alley, a trough formed integrally in said playing board adjacent the edge of said bowling pin end of the alley, said trough having a high'point disposed centrally of said alley with the bottom surfaces of said trough diverging outwardly and downwardly from said high point to points adjacent opposite'side edges of said playing board, and a pair of trough defining gutters extending longitudinally inwardly of each side edge ofsaid playing board along said alley playing surface and interconnecting the ends of said trough to said tray, the gutters being sloped downwardly from said trough to said tray such that a spent bowling ball when received in said trough will roll under force of gravity out of said trough into one of said gutters and then along said gutter to be deposited in said ball receiving tray.

3. The miniature bowling game apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said guide arm is of a substantially flat elongated rectangular configuration having a flat bottom surface, a top surface, said front end being pointed, said pivot pin extending vertically through said back end for pivotally attaching said guide arm to said playing end of said alley, said pointed front end adapted to assist in pointing the guide arm in the direction of said bowling pin; and said ball guide device having a handle portion formed on the top surface thereof and adapted to be grasped in the hand of a'player for use in sliding the guide device along said guide arm when propelling said ball down the alley into the bowling pins.

4. The miniature bowling game apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein each of said adjustable legs comprises a bracket member-having one end affixed to said bottom surface of said playing board with the opposite end projecting vertically downwardly therefrom, a pin member secured to said bracket member and projecting horizontally outwardly therefrom in a direction transverse of said playing board, an inverted triangularly shaped leg member having a vertical series of spaced apart apertures disposed along the vertical axis thereof and extending therethrough, said leg member adapted to be adjusted relative to said bracket with a selected one of said apertures placed in axial alignment with said pin for said pin to pass therethrough to detachably attach said leg member to said bracket, and a rubber foot member attached to the bottom of said leg member and adapted to frictionally' engage a horizontal surface on which the game is rested in a manner to prevent movement of the game relative to said surface. 

1. A miniature bowling game apparatus comprising: a playing board having a substantially flat rectangularly shaped bottom surface, a top surface defining a playing field in the form of a bowling alley, opposed longitudinally extending vertically disposed side edges, and opposed end edges defining a playing end and a bowling pin end respectively; a back-stop associated with said bowling pin end of said alley and comprising a pair of transversely spaced apart side wall surfaces each associated with a respective side edge of said playing board and projecting vertically thereabove, and a vertically extending back wall surface interconnecting the back edges of said side wall surfaces and extending vertically above the alley; a pin resetting plate of a substantially flat rectangular configuration having a bottom surface, a top surface, a front edge, a bottom edge, and opposed side edges, said bottom edge hingedly connected to said back wall surface to provide swinging movement of said pin resetting plate between a substantially vertical inoperative position and a substantially horizontal position overlying the bowling pin end of said alley, ten separate spaced apart bowling pin receiving apertures forming a triangular shape on said plate and extending completely therethrough with the apex of said shape disposed centrally of and inwardly of the front edge of said plate, and spacing means affixed to said bottom surfAce of said plate and projecting outwardly therefrom and adapted to engage said alley when said plate is in said horizontal position; a guide arm of an elongated configuration having a back end, a front end, and at least one substantially straight side edge, said guide arm pivotally attached by a pivot pin to the top surface of said alley on said playing end thereof in a manner providing swinging movement of said guide arm in a horizontal plane about the surface of said alley in a manner to selectively point the guide arm in the direction of the bowling pins resting on the bowling pin end of said alley; a ball guide device of an elongated substantially flat configuration having a flat bottom surface, a back end, a front end, and at least one substantially straight side edge, said bottom surface adapted to slide along said alley at the playing end thereof, said front end provided with a longitudinally inwardly projecting slot centrally thereof, said straight edge adapted to be placed in sliding juxtaposition with said straight edge of said guide arm for guiding the movement of said guide device therealong; and a bowling ball of a size and configuration adapted to be freely received in said guide device slot for guiding movement therein in a manner providing initial direction and velocity to said ball as said guiding device is slid along said guiding arm to propell the ball down the alley into the bowling pins.
 2. The bowling game apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said playing board further comprises a ball receiving tray formed intergrally in said top surface of said playing board and extending parallel and adjacent to the edge of said playing end of said alley, a trough formed integrally in said playing board adjacent the edge of said bowling pin end of the alley, said trough having a high point disposed centrally of said alley with the bottom surfaces of said trough diverging outwardly and downwardly from said high point to points adjacent opposite side edges of said playing board, and a pair of trough defining gutters extending longitudinally inwardly of each side edge of said playing board along said alley playing surface and interconnecting the ends of said trough to said tray, the gutters being sloped downwardly from said trough to said tray such that a spent bowling ball when received in said trough will roll under force of gravity out of said trough into one of said gutters and then along said gutter to be deposited in said ball receiving tray.
 3. The miniature bowling game apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said guide arm is of a substantially flat elongated rectangular configuration having a flat bottom surface, a top surface, said front end being pointed, said pivot pin extending vertically through said back end for pivotally attaching said guide arm to said playing end of said alley, said pointed front end adapted to assist in pointing the guide arm in the direction of said bowling pin; and said ball guide device having a handle portion formed on the top surface thereof and adapted to be grasped in the hand of a player for use in sliding the guide device along said guide arm when propelling said ball down the alley into the bowling pins.
 4. The miniature bowling game apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein each of said adjustable legs comprises a bracket member having one end affixed to said bottom surface of said playing board with the opposite end projecting vertically downwardly therefrom, a pin member secured to said bracket member and projecting horizontally outwardly therefrom in a direction transverse of said playing board, an inverted triangularly shaped leg member having a vertical series of spaced apart apertures disposed along the vertical axis thereof and extending therethrough, said leg member adapted to be adjusted relative to said bracket with a selected one of said apertures placed in axial alignment with said pin for said pin to pass therethrough to detachably attach said leg member to said bracket, and a rUbber foot member attached to the bottom of said leg member and adapted to frictionally engage a horizontal surface on which the game is rested in a manner to prevent movement of the game relative to said surface. 